Hogwarts Harem

Earth

"What do you mean, she's gone?" Victoire asked, horror-stricken as she pulled jeans and a sweater provided to her by the room and Salvatore followed suit; conjuring more casual attire.

"I realized I hadn't seen her in the common room and asked everyone when they'd seen her last, then I went to find Kit to ask him but he'd already been on his way to come tell me he saw two masked figures dragging someone along to the grounds," Link said.

"I tried to chase after them, but they were fast and I figured it would do more good to tell a professor. So I told McGonagall then ran to tell Link about what I saw," Kit offered.

"Fuck," Salvatore shouted, slamming his fist against the stone wall. They looked at him questioningly. "I think I know who's taken her." He breathed in deeply before he began. "Those muggle attacks. They've been orchestrated by the Slytherin crew you see me sitting with. I've been at every one, forced to take part in torturing muggleborns. I've never used any unforgivable curses on them - not that that redeems my involvement. But please believe me when I say I had no choice in the matter," he lifted his arm to reveal a tattoo of a sword dripping blood. "It's a brand, put on me by my death eater parents. They want me to spill 'unworthy' blood. When things went too far with Kieran Dillon all those months ago, I was uncomfortable. I wanted out, but everytime I've tried to argue with my parents about it they just use the Imperius curse on me."

Victoire gasped in horror as she went to comfort him, and Kit and Link stood by uncomfortably, upset for him.

"I went back for Kieran and dragged him to Hogsmeade, where I knew he'd be found by others and taken care of. I healed him as best I could and messed with his memories, because if my parents or the other Slytherins ever found out it was me who did that...they'd come after. I never wanted to hurt anyone," he admitted, fighting back tears that he'd held back for his entire life. 

Victoire was crying, giving him comfort he didn't feel he deserved. 

"I tried to keep you away," he whispered, apologizing for interrupting her life.

"Nothing could ever keep me away from you," Victoire said fiercely, grasping his face and making him look into her eyes as she said so, forcing him to feel the conviction of her words. He nodded weakly, his chest swelling with how desperately he needed to be assured of that.

"You are not bad, my love," she assured, placing her hand on his chest, where his heart beat for her. 

"We trust you," Link said, his expression confident in his assertion. Salvatore nodded his head in silent thanks, appreciating it more than Link could ever understand. 

"And we won't let anyone come after you," Kit asserted, his brows furrowed. Salvatore also gave him a nod as Victoire tugged him towards the door. 

"We have to go," she said. "We have to tell Teddy."

They made their way to the Owlry, Victoire and Link under the cloak while Kit and Salvatore lead the way. Victoire scrawled a note to Teddy instructing him to meet them at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, and informing him of the situation.

They waited for ten minutes at the edge of the forest before Teddy arrived on a broom. "I've sent word to the Auror department for reinforcements. They'll be arriving shortly. All of you, head back to the castle."

"No," Victoire protested. "I'm staying. Jade is my best friend and I'm not going to abandon her."

"And we're not gonna abandon our girl," Salvatore growled protectively, stepping in front of Victoire.

"You," Teddy pointed an accusing finger at Salvatore. "You and your fucking friends are responsible for this, I knew it."

"He's not responsible," Victoire pressed, explaining on Salvatore's behalf the brand his parents forced on him.